AFRICA DIPLOMATIC

EU diplomacy on Malawi elections

Tomorrow, on 23 June 2020, the Malawian people will vote in fresh presidential elections after a protracted but constitutionally determined process. Malawi has a distinguished history of promoting and consolidating inclusive democracy, including by ensuring full respect of the constitutional mandates of national institutions, the statement of the European External Actions Service (EEAS) spokesperson reads….

Burundi President calls opponents to return

After new President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye was sworn in early following the sudden death of his predecessor, he promised to unite the country that has been cut off by the intrnaiotnal aid donors due to endemic human rights abuses. Burundi’s new president, Evariste Ndayishimiye, promised on Thursday to unite a country that has been…

EU on COVID19 in Nigeria

“Attacks, abductions and killings of civilians by armed groups in northern Nigeria have killed over 160 people including 130 civilians since 28 May. Such heinous acts of terrorism and violence are intolerable. These attacks pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s security and to that of the wider region, including in the increasingly restive Northwest of…

EU welcomes Somalia-Somaliland dialogue

“The resumption of dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland that occurred in Djibouti on 14 June is an important and positive step in the process of normalising their relations, bringing renewed hope not only for the people of Somalia and Somaliland but for the whole Horn of Africa. It is an essential part of confidence-building measures…

EU committed to G5 Sahel

The joint invitation of the Mauritanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, in the presidency-in-office of the G5 Sahel the EU top diplomat Josep Borrell Fontelles, and the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, a ministerial meeting of the Coalition for the Sahel in plenary format was held by videoconference, this…

Burundi President-elect starts mandate

Burundi’s constitutional court has agreed that President-elect Evariste Ndayishimiye should be sworn in immediately following the sudden death of Pierre Nkurunziza, the government said in a statement posted to Twitter on June 12. The Constitution provides for the speaker of parliament to take over in such a situation. The court ruled, however, that “the interim…

EU: South Sudan «deserves peace»

“The people of South Sudan deserve lasting peace. The political and inter-communal violence occurring in Central Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Warrap and other parts of the country is of great concern” reads the the declaration on South Sudan by the EU High Representative Josep Borrel, on behalf of the European Union, on delays in the implementation…

‘Post Cotonou’ talks resumed

The European Union and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), formerly named the ACP Group of States, resumed today talks by teleconferencing at the highest political level, a first since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with the objective to advance talks towards the finishing line on the new ‘Post Cotonou’ agreement….

EU looking forward to new history of Burundi

In relation with an official period of mourning for Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza on 10 June, starting a day after the announcement of his death from a heart attack aged 55, the European diplomacy has expressed the condolences to the authorities and people of Burundi, and also expressed willingness to cooperate on new chapter in…

Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed mandate extended

Ethiopia’s parliament approved an extra year in office for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed after August elections were postponed due to coronavirus pandemic. The decision was taken two days after a leading opposition politician resigned as speaker of its upper house in apparent protest at the delay. Ethiopia’s parliament approved an extra year in office for…